Wire fence



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. P. Mo UMBER.

WIRE FENCE.

N0.'331,807. Patented Dec. 8, 1885.

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RMQOMBER.

WIRE FENCE.

No. 331,807. Patented 1380.8, 1885.

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NlTED STATES PATENT TTrcn.

PLINY MOOMBER, OF MAPLE GROVE, MICHIGAN.

WIRE FENCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 331,807, dated December 8, 1885.

Application filed October 24, 1884. Serial No. 146,371, (No model.)

To 025 whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PLINY McOMBER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Maple Grove, in the county of Barry and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Metallic Fences, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in fences and the posts therefor; and it has for its objects, first, to provide awire fence with diagonally-arranged supportirig-stringers, whereby the posts may be placed at a much greater distance apart than usual, and the weight of the horizontal strands supported and their position with reference to the unevenness of the ground adjusted and maintained; second, to provide a metallic post with fins or beads projecting from the body thereof in such manner as to afford strength and allow of making such body comparatively thin and light; and, third, to provide braces of such shape as to secure the maximum strength and the minimum weight, and to so arrange the same as to support the corner and the end posts of the fence.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and on which like letters of reference indicate the same or corresponding features, Figure 1 represents a perspective view showing two sections of my improved fence disposed at right angles to each other, so as to represent a corner; Fig. 2, an enlarged edge View of one of the posts; Fig. 3, a like view of the side of one of the posts; Fig. 4, a cross-sectional view of one of the braces; Fig. 5, an enlarged view showing the manner of connecting the wires to the post, and Fig. 6 a vertical sectional view of one of the braces.

The letter A designates my improved post, the same being preferably of cast-iron, and the body being comparatively thin and tapered to form a point, B, which enters the ground. On opposite sides the point is provided with flukes G, which are also comparatively thin and are cast integrally therewith; but they may be cast separately and secured in any convenient manner. One side of the body of the post is provided with a fin or bead, D, attached thereto in either of the ways just described, while on the opposite side near the upper end a fin, E, is provided, which serves to strengthen the post and also as the shoulder against which is fitted a brace, to be presently described. The edges of the post are somewhat wider than the body is thiclcwhich construction affords still additional strength, and projecting from one edge is a series of lugs, F, to which the fence-wires are attached. These lugs may be dispensed with, however, and the post provided with holes, through which the wires may be passed to form the connection with the post. Posts located other than at the ends and corners of the fence need not be provided with the fins D.

As represented, the braces G, which are constructed preferably of cast iron, are V- shaped in crossseotion, and are placed with their upper ends the one against the fin E and the other under against one of the lugs F, while their lower ends abut against short upright stakes H. The upper ends of said stakes are connected by wires I to the lower portion of the corner-post, (or end post, as the case may be,) and also by horizontal wires J, secured to the stakes just above the ground, whereby they are firmly supported. On the under sides of the braces are lugs K, which serve to strengthen them and to support one end of the sub-braces L, the other ends of the same being in contact with the post. Thus the posts are braced at their upper ends and at a point intermediate between their ends.

In constructing my improved fence I connect the horizontal wires 1 to the posts, the connection being preferably made with the lugs F by placing the wires between the same and the posts.

Flat or twisted ribbons of sheet metal may be used in place of the horizontal wire strands, either in whole or in part, and plain wire may be em ployed wholly, or partly plain and partly barbed, as may suit convenience or taste. The wires are secured by winding short pieces around them at one side of the lugs, then passing said pieces to the other side of the lugs and winding that end thereof around the wires at said point, as more clearly seen in Fig. 5. This is my preferred plan in making the attachment, though other methods may be adopted. About midway between the respective posts I connect the horizontal strands or wires together by a vertical connecting-wire, J, that portion of the same between the upper and the second horizontal strand being by preference two-ply, the strands being wound together. Any number of these vertical wires may be used, as is obvious. This aids in avoiding the tendency of the upper horizontal strand to sag.

The letter M designates the upper stringer, the same being attached to the respective posts in the manner above described in speaking of the horizontal strands,at the upper ends thereof, or at the point of attachment of said strand, while between the posts it is connected with the second or other proper horizontal strand, whereby the heft of the several strands is largely supported, and any tendency to sag or sway prevented. A lower stringer, N. secured to the respective posts near the surface of the ground, is also employed, it being attached to the lower strand about midway be; tween two posts, or to the vertical connectingwire; but this stringer may be attached to the lower strand where the ground is lowest, whereby the fence may be drawn down the proper distance above the ground and at the same time held or supported by the upper stringer. This arrangement not only provides for adjusting the fence with reference to the ground, but also prevents in great degree the swaying and consequent weakening of the fence by reason of the action of wind and occasional pressure of animals running against it, and, moreover, allows of the use of fewer posts, as they may be placed at a distance of two hundred feet apart where the ground is not too undulating, one hundred feet apart being the maximum distance at present. This arrangement of stringers also permits of the horizontal strands being less tightly drawn, whereby greater flexibility is given to the fence, and less injury caused to an animal coming in contact therewith.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a fence, the combination, with the post, the main braces, and the sub-braces fitted between the main braces and theposts, the stakes, and the wires connecting them with the posts, and the horizontal wires connected to the posts, of the oblique upper stringers secured also to the post and the vertical connecting wire or wires, whereby the fence is suspended between the posts.

2. In a fence, the combination, with the posts having each a lug near its upper end, the main and sub braces, and the horizontal strands secured to said posts, of the upper oblique stringer secured to said posts, running downward in both directions, and connecting with the horizontal strands at intermediate points, and the lower oblique stringer secured to the posts'and running upwardin both directions and connecting with the horizontal wires at intermediate points, and the verticalwiresconnectingthehorizontalstrands together where the stringers cross them, substantially as described.

3. In a fence, the combination, with the posts, the main and sub braces, the stakes, the wires connecting them with the posts, and the horizontal strands connected with the post, of the upper and lower oblique stringers also secured to the strands and to the post, substantially as described.

4. In a fence, the combination, with the corner or end post, of the main braces fitted against the upper end, the sub-braces fitted between the main braces and intermediate points of the post, and the stakes connected at one or more points with the post by wires, Substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

PLIN Y MOOMBER.

Witnesses:

llIARTIN 1\IETOALF, H. H. HUBBARD. 

